Holly Lynch

We're very proud to live in simple Greenville, SC especially in the northern burb of Travelers Rest. I did a great deal of research before we picked Greenville as our best place to live. Every week I run across something new to love about being here. South Carolina has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country but Greenville's unemployment statistically is the lowest in the state.

This is from yesterdays paper. Read more about North American Cities of the Future by clicking on this link and then download the pdf file.

Greenville is the top North American city of less than 100,000 population in terms of prospects for economic development and business expansion, a global magazine says.

The city ranked No. 1 among fDi Magazine's "micro cities of the future" for 2009-10, based on several criteria, including economic potential, human resources, cost-effectiveness, quality of life, infrastructure, business friendliness, and promotion strategy".

In a previous issue, fDi says that Greenville has the top economic potential of any North American city of its size and the second-best business climate behind Wilmington, Del.

Nancy Whitworth, Greenville's economic development director, said Monday the ranking recognizes the community's work to ensure the city's reputation for a good business environment, particularly international investment.

Hank Hyatt, the Greenville Chamber's vice president of economic development, agreed. "We already have a strength in international investment in the Upstate, (international headquarters of BMW, Fluor Daniel and Michelin) so again this just continues that story," he said.

The magazine said its judging criteria for economic potential included population forecast, unemployment rate and foreign-direct investment, including projects within the high-tech service and manufacturing sectors.

South Carolina's unemployment rate reached 11.4 percent in March the highest it has been in the state, according to the state Employment Security Commission. Greenville County's jobless rate climbed to 9.6 percent from 9.4 percent in February, but the county remains one of the state's best counties for employment.

And for Real Estate, Greenville and its surrounding burbs of Travelers Rest, Greer, Taylor, and Simpsonville have home values that are priced perfectly not only for the first time homebuyer, but also for the growing "baby boomer" population which is coming here in droves looking for an ideal retirement home.

So if you're looking to escape high unemployment, the drone of big city life and traffic, great prices on homes and the basics, top schools, gas and of course a new home, look no farther than growing and beautiful Greenville, SC. And don't forget to contact the area's top Real Estate Specilist- ME!

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is almost complete!! What the heck is that?

Every once in a while you'll tool through a small town in the south that really looks like it's sprouting new shoots and ready to bloom. After living in Travelers Rest, SC just north of Greenville for nearly 6 years..that is exactly what is happening. The economy has been slow but the businesses are coming. The locals are slow to change but realize that the change is coming too. When you get on your bike in TR (as we call it) and know that you can travel miles, unbothered by traffic and surrounded by woods, lovely Furman University and the growing burb of Travelers Rest! Check out my journal entry a few days ago.

Wow guys. We did the Swamp Rabbit Trail this morning by bike. The redo looks fantastic! The work is still in progress....landscaping being finished, but overall, it is looking great.

While walking down the street, along with two different cycling teams passing us, a vintage BMW driving club came motoring down the street several cars long. Lots of people using the New Trail as well as the redone sidewalks even with the current cool temps.

Went in Williams Hardware and if you haven't been, you HAVE to go. Like a mini, upscale version of The Mast General Store (Google it..it's a staple in the South). Great merchandise and they also have a cafe....open for lunch every day and dinner on weekends. Great food, wine tastings on certain nights, cool place.

I also noticed for the first time how the Swamp Rabbit Trail runs immediately behind so many commercial buildings....watch for some future restaurants with decks on the back....simply step of the greenway and have lunch or a drink.

With the demographics of Furman, Paris Mountain and Mountain Park / Cliffs, watch this area boom.

Oh, also, the last leg of the Swamp Rabbit Trail between downtown and TR is suppose to open this spring with a big kickoff run.

These pictures don't do it justice....go check it out in person....you'll be impressed. From a 5 lane highway to a quaint village area. Impressive.

Every week I get calls and emails from people out looking for homes who want to see them NOW. And I get showings from agents for their clients. Problem is...not Pre-Approved! What is up with that. You buyers agents should know better and for you clients, there are three key reasons why your pre-approval is so important.

1. A pre-approval is just that, taking your basic info and making sure that your credit is ok to go forward with a purchase. The benchmark of today's lenders is a score of 620. If you're not there, most can offer some kind of credit repair. But if you are there then at least you know you're good to go on a purchase.

2. The preapproval helps you define your price point. Many call and say that they're looking for a home in the 150K range but want a monthly payment of 750 or less. Unless you've got a magician for a lender or are putting a huge amount down, this is probably unrealistic. The preapproval helps you and your agent find properties in the range that you can'afford comfortably.

3. And lastly: put yourself in the seller's shoes. They get so excited to know someone is coming to look at their home. Imagine you are them and people just come traipsing through just to look at your decor and may possibly may not be qualified to buy! You've taken hours to ready the home, get out for the showing and get your hopes up to be dashed by this unqualified buyer.
All Buyers agents should make sure they qualify before showings. Sadly there are still many who are desperate for a sale and do not do things correctly. It is my company, Keller Williams' policy to get preapprovals before ever meeting at a home or the office to start a very time intensive search for the client.

So whether you're looking in the Greenville, Travelers Rest or mountains of Upstate SC or any where else please take 15 minutes and take care of this most important step so your agent can really help you with what you need. And agents, please don't show those listings until your buyers are preapproved. I can't take giving my sellers that news any longer!

Early this year I had the awesome experience of working with two of the brightest and sweetest clients in my Real Estate history. And I had the opportunity to sell them one of the most gorgeous homes in Greenville and the Upstate. But I also learned much from them that benefits all of you as well.

I'll make it brief as most of you, like myself, are high I personalities which means you have the attention span of a flea and love the high pace , personal interaction and relationship of each transaction. Not the numbers so much. Thus was I when I met Georgianna and Dick.

She was a newly retired CEO of a major company in TX and Dick was the same. He was the interpersonal one, she the numbers and information specialist. During our home search Georgianna started asking for numbers. And I didn't have them and didn't know how to answer her questions. I was completely uninformed I'll admit it. Georgianna made me realize how important knowing the details of my market are. I'd heard those figures preached in my team meetings, I just never internalized them: had never had to. This was before the downturn in the market so we were still turnin and burnin ..who needed facts and figures?

Then the market in Greenville took a slight downturn and buyers came from all over expecting a deal. And guess what. I pulled out the Georgianna and Dick lesson book. After all: the way successful people become successful is to model themselves after people who ARE successful. So I got my stuff together, got my figures together (and let me tell you it's a continuing painful process as figures don't' come easily for me) But I know them.

I turned 40 this year and realized I don't want to be selling Real Estate in 15 years! I want to be a Georgianna and Dick: retired early, extremely successful, with a great family that now they have time for, and the lessons of life learned from following a model of success. I hope to stay in touch with them for the rest of my career and thank Georgianna and Dick for teaching this REALTOR a life long lesson!

This is one of my older blogs but I"ve gotten a lot of recent remarks on it so I'm reposting..enjoy!

Ok someone has called off a sign or emailed you with a message that they're interested in buying or selling. Now what.

So many in sales get cold feet at actually having a phone conversation, IE talking WITHOUT the computer. It's very easy in our day and age to let our website give our credentials. But there's so much more that you have to offer than your resume isn't there?

So let's talk rapport. Webster's definition is "establishing common ground". People like to be around people who are like them. So when you call the first time your first call may not be about (or very little about) real estate at all. Get to know them Bring out the similarities with your prospects. Do you have kids and do they? Are they outdoors folks, do they like to read or travel? To them that proves that at least one salesman is not an alien being from another solar system! Keep reading below.....

Try this: Mr. Customer, when I'm not helping people find great homes, I'm a consumer, just like you. I always am on the lookout for good deals at the best prices! I always hope that when I do shop, is that I can find someone who truly understands what it is that I'm buying and can help me make wise decisions along the way. I'd like to earn your trust in that same way by becoming your REALTOR. Blah blah blah..

Too scripty for you? Here's a sample of my patter.

Hi Marge, saw you emailed me about relocating to the Greenville area. What is going on in PA where you are and what brings you this direction?....then I shut up and let them tell me their story. By ACTIVELY LISTENING they will tell me all I need to know. O sure we may have to bring them down to earth about the fact that Greenville, Travelers Rest and the Upstate of SC is not in a crisis situation like many areas of the country and let them know our area is still getting 97% of list price. But after we establish RAPPORT they begin to understand that you're on their side.

Two other quick points that have always worked for me:

1. Did you know that my services to you are free? When you hire me as your REALTOR, I work for you for absolutely nothing. My commission is paid by the seller but my fiduciary (or legal here in the south)duty is to you alone.

2. Mr. Client I just want you to understand something about me as a person as well as a REALTOR. I'm not in this for the money...no really! I love what I do and my favorite thing is handing the keys to a new home over to a happy client. My commission is paid by the seller, but that's gravy compared to the satisfaction I get from watching you move into your new home.

Just be sincere, build rapport from the get go. Dont' be a "sales person", be a friend. You'll double your money if you do so.

Good luck and get selling!